johnson



5 Sheets-Sheet 1. L. K. JOHNSON & A. A. LOW.

TYPE DISTRIBUTING APPARATUS.

Patented Mar. 9, 1886.

(No Model.)

II I I IIIHII" Ii .I I

I III I II I IWI jzyure 1,

II I! I! I I II W H LI \ II I: u fi 1 I I III I I "I' I II I I 'IIIII II MIIHIIMIWII I Kw;

n PETERS, Pbololilhogupher, wuIIIII I-m. o.c.

5 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

L. K. JOHNSON 8x A. A. LOW.

TYPE DISTRIBUTING APPARATUS.

Patented Mar. 9, 1886.

w m wmN MWMM m N4 PETERS. Pnmmrw ra w, Walhinghm. ri'c (No ModeL) 5 Sheets-Sheet 3.

L. K. JOHNSON & A. A. LOW.

TYPE DISTRIBUTING APPARATUS. No. 337,406. PatentedMar. 9, 1886.

S A T A IQ-Q I R a *9 Illll lllIll wimwam q N PETERS. Phololilhognpher. Washington. D. C.

(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 4.

L. K. JOHNS ON & A. A'. LOW. TYPE DISTRIBUTING APPARATUS.

N Finns, Fhom-Lilhugnphcn Walhinglon. o c,

5 Sheets-Sheet 5.

(No Model.)

L. K. JOHNSON 8. A. A. LOW.

TYPE DISTRIBUTING APPARATUS.

No. 337,406. Patented. Mar. 9.1886.

wmww. W's. WM .2 'X M flqo lflrwa/ Unirran S rnrns PATENT Oriana,

LOUIS K. JOHNSON AND A. AUGUSTUS LOW, OF BROOKLYN, ASSIGNORS TO THE ALDEN TYPE MACHINE COMPANY, OF NE\V YORK, N. Y.

TYPE-DISTRIBUTING APPARATUS.-

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No.337,406, dated March 9.183 6.

Application filed December 6, 1882. Serial No. 78,535. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that we, LoUIs K. JOHNSON and A. AUGUSTUS Low, both of the city of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of 5 New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Type-Distributing Apparatus, of which the follow is a specification.

The main object of our invention is the con- IO densation of that class of type-distributing apparatus in which the type is distributed by hand-into the least possible space laterally, for the double purpose of economizing floorroom and facilitating the operation of distribution.

\Ve desire to reduce the lateral extension of the receivingtable or bank of conduits to the minimum degree, consistent with practicability. In order to do this it is necessary to arrange the conduits in two rows. It would be objectionable to thus divide a single case or font of type if the receivers for the two groups or lines had to be materially separated or arranged any considerable distance apart,

since the operators hand, during distribution, would necessarily have to travel back and 'forth between the two banks or lines of receivers a good many times. The superimposing of one division or group of conduits-above another would also be objectionable, since it is desirable to have the conduits and the containing-channels with which they connect ex"- posed and accessible at all times. To attain the desired result unattended by these diffr- 5 culties, we construct, and one feature of our invention consists in, a duplex bank of conduits, or receiving-table, in which the two groups or divisions of conduits sufficient in number to accommodate a single font or case 40 of type are arranged, at suitable opposite angles, back to back, the upper ends of one series extending upward and toward the upper ends of the other series, so thatthe receiving ends of both sets of conduits may be 5 brought into proximity; also, in combining with such duplex conduit-bank a receiving surface or plate arranged to receive and conduct the types of one division into their respective conduits, which occupies the same,

or nearly the same, or a parallel or nearly a parallel, plane, with the receiving-floor of the other side or division of the bank. By this means we are enabled to provide for the deposit of the types for both sides or series in the bank upon parallel surfaces or planes, which adjoin each other and are practically continuations of each other, there being no lost, unutilized space between, so that the movement of the fingers of the operator from the center of one receiving-surface to that of E0 the other, while engaged in depositing types alternately in opposite coinciding conduits in the two series or divisions of the font, is only equal to, or but little more than. the length of a type. It is obvious that by thus doubling 6 up or shortening the necessary reach of the operator across the bank or table, the operator is enabled to work with greater rapidity and ease.

A feature of our invention in this connection consists in making the upper receiving and guiding surface or plate adjustable with relation to the lower extremities of conduits which are situated underneath it and extend downward in an opposite direction therefrom, for the purpose of adapting the device accurately to different sizes of type.

It is obvious that in order to attain the maximum of speed in hand distribution it is essential that the extent of motion required of E0 the hand should be reduced to the least possible degree.

Owing to the proximity of the two divisions of the conduits provided in the bank for a single font of type, and to their inclination at opposite angles in the form of an inverted V, we are enabled to arrange a pusher or other device for forwarding the types in all the containing channels between and underneath them in such manner that it will be completely o inclosed and protected by the said duplex conduit-bank, while the entire upper exposed surface of the distributing-table will be left free from working parts.

In this connection an additional feature of our invention consists in a horizontally-sliding double-reciprocating comb-pusher or typeforwarding device situated underneath, and so combined and arranged with the duplex conduitbank that it alternately adyances'the zoo types in the containing-channels placed to coincide with the conduits upon both sides of the duplex bank; also, in such a double reciprocating comb-pusher actuated by a lever, both the fulcrum and the stroke of which are made adjustable to adapt its action to the various sizes oftypes to be used and to equalize the motion or centralize the device with relation to the type-containing channels.

Still another feature of our invention is designed to adapt our particular style of hand type-distributing apparatus for use in conjunction with the class of type-setting apparatus for which the types have to be arranged in a line, one upon the other, edge to edge, or in other words resting against each on their narrowest sides instead of upon their fiat or broad sides, as heretofore described in our previous application for patents; and it consists in a type-conduit adapted to receive a type dropped into it with the flat or broad side of the type downward, formed with a false bottom or tripping-floor which gradually decreases in width upon one side until it is in sufficient to support the type upon its flat or broad side, thus allowing a descending type to fall over upon its edge or narrow side into a comparatively narrow passage,the side walls of which support it in such new position dur-.

ing the remainder of its descent and transfer to the containing-channel or other receiving device situated at the lower extremity of the conduit. We are thus enabled to appropriate the advantages attending the distribution and controlling of the types on the flat or broad side to all classes of type-setting apparatus, whether the setting is accomplished through the medium of machinery or by hand.

In the accompanying drawings, in which like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts, Figure 1 is a plan of a type-distributing apparatus embodying our improvements, the central portion of the table being omitted to avoid unnecessary repetition of de tail, and one end of the type-receiving conduit-bank being shown as broken away to expose one extremity of the double reciprocating comb-pusher. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section of the distributing-table through the center of coinciding opposed conduits and receiving-channels, as taken upon plane of line 1) 1), Figs. 1 and 3, and looking toward the center of the apparatus. Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section of portions of the distributing apparatus, taken upon the line to w, Figs. 1 and 2, and looking toward the receiving-bank, the pusher-teeth being shown in elevation and the type-containing channels 0 being removed to more clearly show their centralizing-tongues a d upon the supporting-shoulders a, which latter are in turn broken away centrally to clearly show the connection of the operating parts with the pusher. Figs. 4 and 5 are respectively front views of a series of four receiving-conduits,

arranged, the former according to the old method of construction and the latter accordlw t ing to our present invention, the two figures being represented side by side, so as to illustrate comparatively the extent of movement required of the hand of the distributor in each case during the operation of distributing the types composing the same word. Fig. 6 is a front view, full size, of a portion of one side of the duplex bank of type-receiving conduits as seen when looking toward that side in the direction of a line at right angles to the inclined plane upon which it is arranged upon the table of the apparatus. Fig. 7 is a vertical section of t-heduplex conduit-bank, taken longitudinally through the center of two coinciding type-receiving conduits situated upon its opposite sides. as upon the plane of line :0 m, Fig. 6; Fig. 8, a similar view illustrating the descent of a type from the upper receiving surface or plate into its appropriate conduit underneath, by which it is conducted to the containing channel placed to receive it upon the rear side of the duplex bank. Fig. 9 is a section through one of the receivingchannels upon plane of line at at, Fig. 6, showing in elevation the false bottom or trippingfloor, which allows the type, which is distributed upon its flat or broad side, to turn over upon its edge during its descent into the narrow depression or passage (through which the plane of section passes) by which it is con ducted to the containing-channel. Fig. 10 is a similar view taken upon plane of line :0 :0", Fig. 6, showing a slight modification in the form of the floor of the conduit; and Fig. 11, a transverse section through three of the conduits, showing the false bottom or trippingfloor with its narrow sunken depression or groove, and illustrating the result of such construction upon the position ofthe type. Fig. 12 is an end elevation, partly in section, of the upper portion of the duplex receiving bank and the receiving-plate for the left-hand side thereof. Fig. 13 is asimilar view showing the receiving-plate adjusted to a lower position.

The base-plate or table A of the apparatus is mounted upon any suitable frame or support in any desired manner. A duplex receiving-conduit bank, B, is mounted upon, and a sufficient distance above, the table A to leave space for the arrangement of the reciprocating pusher P and the accommodation of the containing-channels 0 below. This duplex conduit-bank B consists, essentially, of two plates or beds, 13 and B", of receiving-conduits b 1), arranged back to back with their upper edges adjoining each other. From their upper ends the conduit beds or plates B B" diverge downward at angles that will allow the gentle descent of the type by its own gravity to meet the series of containing-channels 0, arranged upon each side ofthe duplex bank for the reception of the distributed types as they leave the lower extremities of the conduits. The latter are formed upon or attached to their respective plates in any suitable manner,and the containing-channels O are sustained and made to coincide with them by supportingappropriate means. The containing-channels sential for a single font of type in closer rela front division or plate, B,-ter1ninate a'sufficient rapidly centralized and depositedby the finspace b above the conduits answers all the purposes ofthe old forms of wideemouthed re:

* desired; but we prefer to extend the conduitwalls on thisside of the bank up to the top of 'which one half the types-are delivered to conshoulders a at and centralizingtongues 00 a I situated upon the base or table A,or by other O,when in position upon the distributing-table 'A, are also preferably inclined outward and downward from the point ofjunction with the conduits sufficiently to cause the types in them to lean against the steadying-slugs c and each other in the direction of their line of motion, so that the center of gravity of the last types raised and added to a line by the pusher will be sufficiently beyond avertical line to counteract any tendency they might have to fall back or recede with the pusher, while the inclination thus given to the whole column of type in a channel lessens. the resistance afforded to the pusher while forwarding it, the inclination thus imparted to a column of type being still insufficient to allow it to descend bodily by its own gravity.

One of the sets of containing-channels may be made considerably shorter than the other, as indicated in the drawings, being designed for the reception of those denominations of type which are least frequently used.

Our duplex receiving-conduit bank is in no sense asimple combination of twocomplete distribution-cases upon a single distributingtable, as in our application I for patent filed February 13,1882. It is a bank of type-receiving conduits adapted to accommodate the denominations of type in a single font only,in

taining-channels situated upon the right and the other half are delivered to containingchannels situated upon the left, the division enabling us to group all of the receivers estion to each other than'would otherwise be possibler I As shown in the drawings, the upper extremities of the'conduit-walis on the right or distance below the top of the plate to leave a broad unobstructed receiving-floor and fingerspace, b, above andin front of their entrances, so that-the types may be conveniently and gers of the distributer in front of or partly within said conduit-entrances without being brought in contact with any part of the bank. The common orfparty walls b",between and forming the conduits b,may. be beveled at their upper extremities, as shown, to facilitate the entrance'of the types; but this is not absolutely essential, since the receiving-floor and fingerceivers. The conduits-upon the rear or left division or plate,B'-,may be provided with an unobstructed receiving surface or floorsimilar to that upon the right or front plate,.B, if

the plate. The denominations of type to be accommodated upoutliis side may then beinserted, foot first, into the upperextremities.

of their respective conduits without moving the fingers below the upper edge of the plate. To facilitate this operation and avoid the necessity of partly turning such types between the fingers,in order to bring the bodies ofthe types into proper inclination with relation to the conduits on this side of the bank, we employ an upper receiving surface or floor, D, upon which the types may be readily dropped from the fingers at the same angle as that required for the lower or front division. To this end the upper receiving surface or plate, D,is arranged iu the same, or approximately the same, or a parallel or nearly parallel,plane,to that occupied by the said lower receivingfloor, b, of the right division.. This upper receiving surface or floor may be made perfectly plain and uniform, if desired, being simply elevated a sufficient distance above the upper extremities or the floor of the conduits to allow the types to descend into the latter when dropped upon it in coincidence with them; but we prefer. to form slots or recesses (Z din it, which coincide with and allow the types to descend through them into the conduits underneath, the side walls, (1 d, of the slots or recesses acting as lateral guides to the descending types, and practically constituting continuations upward of the side walls of the conduits.

In descending from the upper receivingfloor, D, to the conduit below a type naturally, (since its lower extremity or foot is unsupported from the time it leaves the lower edge ofthe receiving-floor until it encounters downwardly-projecting curved guides d or continuations of the receiving-floor D, coinciding with the conduits, and contracting the space above the floor of the latter at this point to such an extent that the types are compelled to rest full length upon the floor of the conduits before they can effect their descent to the containing-channels.

For the purpose of enabling us toregulate with accuracy the position of the upper receiving-plate, D, with relation to the upper extremities of the conduit 1) underneath, we make the said receiving-plate D adjustablein a plane parallel to that of the conduit-plate B". \Vhere the plate D is mounted directly upon the bed-plate 13*, as shown in the drawings, this may be accomplished by means of set-screws s s, which pass through longitudinal slots t t,formed in each of the feet or bearings t projecting downward from both extremities of the plate D, and resting upon the upper surface of the conduit bed-plate B". This construction is illustrated in Figs. 3, 12,

and 13. Where the receiving-surface D is inadjustment is conveniently attained by formdependently supported, other suitable means may be provided for effecting the adjustment mentioned. This adjustment of the receivingplate D along the face of the conduit-plate is to regulate the extent of surface of the conduit-floors exposed to the descending types, according to the varying thicknesses of different fonts of types, so as to keep the receivingsurface of the plate D as nearly in the same plane as that of the reoeivingsurface of the right-hand conduit-plate, B, as the circumstances will admit.

In dividing and arranging the different denominations of type in a font with relation to the two lines of receiving-conduits it is desirable to include those most frequently used in one line, while the remaining denominations in the font are included in the other. By this means, and by arranging the characters, as far as possible, in groups representing words of most frequent use, as hereinbefore mentioned, the distances to be traversed by the hand between the points of distribution may be so far decreased on the average, and the area of distribution so concentrated by our improved construotion,as to render it possible for the operator to deposit the types upon the duplex receiver-bank as fast as he can detach them one from another and drop them from between his fingers, this being the limit to the speed attainable by hand-distribution.

In the space underneath the duplex bank B, occasioned by the divergence of the right and left divisions B B we mount the reciprocating double comb-pusher P, by which we are enabled to raise and forward the types deposited by the conduits in both sets of containing-channels. This pusher P may simply rest upon pillow-blocks p, upon which it is made to slide back and forth alternately through the medium 'of actuating-levers Q, to which motion is imparted by pitmen 0, connecting with eccentrics R R upon the drivingshal't T. The pusher is guided and held in position upon the pillow-blocks by studs or screws 1) 19, passing through slots p p" in the pusher, which are elongated in the direction of motion, or by end caps or other suitable means. The actuating-levers Q are connected with the under side of the reciprocating pusher P, so that by including the bearings of the latter within the space covered by the duplex bank, and by arranging the lever-fulcrum q and driving-shaft T under the table, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3, we are enabled to conceal all the moving parts of the apparatus, (excepting the outer ends of the combteeth of the pusher, as they project slightly alternately beyond the conduits into one or the other sets of containing-channels,) thus protecting both the operative parts and the distributer from accidental contact or injury. The length of the reciprocal movement or the stroke of the pusher P is regulated by the points of connection between the actuatinglevers Q and the eccentric pitmen O. This ing longitudinal slots q q in the levers Q Q, which allow studs for the reception and engagement of the ends of the eccentric pitmen O O to be secured nearer to and farther from the fulcrums q q, as required.

For the purpose of centralizing the pusher and actuating-levers with relation to their stroke and to the receiving ends of the contain ing-channels, we make the fulcrums q q adjustable horizontally. This also may be accomplished by horizontal longitudinal slots q q in the lower ends of the lever bearings U U, which permit the studs or fulcrums q q to be moved more or less to the right or left.

It is obvious that at every variation in the adjustment of the points of connection of the eccentric pitmen O with the actuating-levers Q beyond a certain neutral point, the area of the motion of the pusher will be shifted more or less to the left or right, as the case may be, thus causing the comb-teeth on one side to project to a greater extent into the containingchannels on that side, and the comb-teeth on the other side to project into the containing channels on the opposite side to a lesser degree than the requisite normal extent of projection, which should be equal in both sets of containing-channels. This variation in the action of the pusher, caused by the adjustment of its length of stroke, may be readily and accurately compensated for and corrected by moving the fulcrums q q, ashereinbefore set forth.

When it is desired to use our improved type distributing apparatus in conjunction with type setting machines, for which the types are required to be arranged in columns or lines with the edge of one type abutting that of the next, or edge to edge, instead of on the flat, we form the floors of the conduits below the receiving-surface b in such manner that they recede or gradually decrease in width on one side until they are insufficient to support the types on their flat or broad sides, and with coinciding depressions or narrow passages, ff, below the level of the said contracted floors 9 g, which extend downward and form the continuation and completion of the conduits, as illustrated in Figs. 6, 9, 10, and 11. The contraction in width of the primary floors 9 9 may be more or less abrupt, following various curves or angles, as indicated in Fig. 6, and the secondary floors ff descend sufficiently below the first to admit of the types making a quarter-turn on their longitudinal axes during their descent thereto from the primary floors. The side walls, f f, of the secondary floors and passages f, are a distance apart sufficient only to loosely accommodate the types when resting with their edges or narrow sides upon the said floors. The effect of this construction of the conduits is that the types dropped upon the receiving-surface on their flat enter and descend upon the primary floors g g in such position until they reach points where the said floors are too narrow to support them,

when they drop by their own gravity into the contracted passages ff, making a quarterturn before reaching the secondary floor, in which new position they are sustained and conducted into correspondingly-narrow containing channels or receivers placed at the bottom of the conduit-plates to coincide with the secondary contracted passages. The two positions of the type t assumed during its passage through this form of conduit is shown in cross-section in Fig. 11.

What we claim as our invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In an apparatus for the distribution of type byhand, a duplex receiving table or bank of type-receiving conduits consisting of two plates or series of conduits arranged at suitable inclined and opposed angles, back to back, with their upper or receiving extremities in proximity, for the purpose and substantially in the manner herein set forth.

2. In an apparatus for the distribution of types by hand, having a duplex receivingbank consisting of conduit-plates placed back to back withtheir upper edges adjoining each other, substantially as described, the combination and arrangement of the left-hand conduit-plate,B formed with a receiving-surface, D, extending upward at substantially the same angle as that of the receiving-surface of the right hand conduit plate, B, and the said right-hand plate, B,formed with a smooth unobstructed receiving-surface above the upper ends of its conduit-walls in proximity to the receiving-plate D for the left-hand conduitplate, B", for the purpose and substantially in the manner described.

3. In an apparatus for the distribution of type by hand, thecombination, with a duplex receiving table or bank, of receiving-conduits, substantially such as herein designated, of a type-receiving surface or plate adapted to receive and conduct the typesfor one side of the duplex conduit-bank into their respective conduits, made adjustable with relation to the upper extremities of thelatter, substantially in the manner described.

4. In an apparatus for the distribution of type by hand, the combination, with a duplex receiving table or bank, of receiving-conduits, substantially such as herein designated, of a type-receiving surface or plate adapted to receive and guide the types for one side of the duplex conduit-bank into their respective conduits, formed with slots or recesses coinciding with conduits underneath, while the side walls of the said slots or recesses coincide with the jecting tongues or continuations of the receiving surface or floor, substantially in the manner and for the purpose set forth.

6. In a type distributing apparatus, the combination of the right and left hand conduit-plates B B placed back to back with their upper edges in proximity, the horizontally-reciprocating double comb-pusher arranged underneath the said plates, and the typecontaining channels 0, the whole arranged and operating substantiallyin the manner and for the purpose described.

7. In an apparatus for the distribution of type by hand, the combination,with a duplex receiving table orbank, of receiving-condu1ts, substantially such as herein designated, of a reciprocating double comb pusher or typeforwarding device situated underneath the duplex bank and operating alternately upon opposite sides thereof, substantially in the manner described, actuated by a lever haying an adjustable connection with the device 1mparting the stroke or reciprocal movement,

and provided with an adjustable fulcrum, for

the purpose and substantially in the manner herein set forth.

8. In an apparatus for the distribution of type by hand, a type-conduit adapted to receive a type having one of its fiat or broad sides downward, formed with a bottom or floor that gradually decreases in width on one side until insufficient to support atype in the position in which it was received, in combination with an adjoining parallel depression or narrow passage adapted to receive the type from the said contracted floor and to conduct it upon its edge to the containing-channel, substantially in the manner and for the purpose set forth.

LOUIS K. JOHNSON. A. AUGUSTUS LOW. Witnesses:

GEo. W. MIATT, WM. GARDNER. 

